• August 2, 2011

Electronic Arts is launching a subscription-based service that allows gamers to play several of the company's best-selling sports titles before their retail launch and discounts on downloadable content.

Called the EA Sports Season Ticket, the program will be offered through retailer GameStop and via Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace, Sony's PlayStation Store network and will cost $24.99 or 2000 Microsoft Points. The games included at launch will be Madden NFL12, which launches later this month, as well as the company's NCAA, NHL, FIFA soccer and Tiger Woods PGA Tour franchises. In addition to getting an early shot at the games and discounts on downloadable content, subscribers will get premium web content and other membership rewards, according to the company

"EA Sports Season Ticket is an exciting program for our core fans - it lets our biggest fans play earlier, play more and play better than anyone else," said Peter Moore, president of EA Sports, in a release. "EA Sports Season Ticket is an important step in our vision for transforming how deeply fans connect with the sports games they love through digital products and services. We're excited to continue evolving EA Sports Season Ticket as we listen to what consumers want most in their gaming experiences."

As the exclusive retail provider for the program, GameStop will launch a multichannel marketing campaign (which will include its 11 million member PowerUp Rewards program) for the Season Ticket. Details of the campaign were not immediately available.